Recently in Housing Category

Contributed by: Megan Swedeen

*Take the roommate contract seriously:

Don't be silly and write simple statements on your roommate contract, be thorough! Answer all of the prompts on the back of the contract and be detailed. Don't write statements like, "Just be respectful" describe what that means to you. For some being respectful is turning off the lights when someone goes to bed, for others this means keeping the lights on for the person studying. Take the time to really talk with your roommate and get everything out in the open that you want to discuss.

If you have questions we have answers! Click the link to get get a few answers to our most commonly asked questions.

1.Explore.

Do a little research on the different housing options available to you. What does a suite in Smith look like? How big is a double in Arnold? What theme communities are available? Look around at all of the buildings to get a sense of what living there would be like. Also, the simmons.edu/reslife site has new features that allow for virtual room tours including photos and video if you don't have the chance to see them in person.

2.Research.

Have you heard of the availability spreadsheet? Use this feature of the reslife website to see how many rooms in each building are available. Speaking of the website, use it! It offers some really great information about housing selection that would most likely answer your question and also any that you didn't even know you had.

3.Branchout.

Don't have a roommate? Don't worry. Plenty of us experience this, and so Simmons offers many ways to find others looking for a new roomie! Attend Pair Fairs, join the Facebook group, or go to a suite matching fair. Even if you strike out with these, there is the Meet and Greet area at housing selection night.

4.Talk.

Talk to your friends and find out everyone's' plans for next year. See where other people you know are planning on living and maybe make a plan to live in the same building. A feel for where everyone else is living can help you make plans for the upcoming year!

5. Tea.

Drink a cup of tea, listen to music, the point is to relax. Housing selection should not be a stressful time. Have fun looking forward the next year

Contributed by: Catherine Winters

Living on campus seems expensive, but have you ever considered what you get for your money? Of course, you're paying for a place to live. A studio apartment in this area of the city is $1,600 a month, which is comparable to what "rent", would be on campus. However, this does not include everything you get on-campus.

Even if your rent includes heat and hot water, you'll still be paying for things like electricity and internet. This would be an additional $70-$100 a month, but could be up to $300 depending on whether you also need to pay for gas or decide to get cable.

Contributed by: Jean Ryznal, Simmons Hall RA

There are many leadership opportunities at Simmons College. A student can be a Simmons 101 Facilitator, be a part of the Emerging Leaders Program, be an Orientation Leader, be a part of SGA (Student Government Association), or hold a leadership position within one of the many organizations on campus. One leadership position I have had the opportunity to hold since my time on campus is as a Resident Advisor (RA). This past semester I have been able to enjoy both personal and professional growth through being an RA in Simmons Hall.

Contributed by: Laini Cassis

Here at the Simmons College residence campus, there are nine different residence halls. Each one has their own qualities and characteristics. When you live on campus for a while, you can easily figure it all out. But for now, let's focus on my favorite residence hall, which is South Hall.

2014 is here!

As you settle back into your rooms (or possibily to a new room if you are joining us for the first time) and get ready to settle into all new classes, those of us here at the Office of Residence Life would like to say a big WELCOME BACK!

Be sure to check out some of the awesome Winter Warm-Up Welcome Back events happening all around campus that are being offered by the Office of Student Leadership and Activism!

We look forward to sharing an exciting and fun 2014 with all of you!

It's closing time here in the residence halls, and as the rooms empty one by one, each student completing their respective finals to depart for winter break, I'm left with a sort of bittersweet sentimentality:

Happy to be going home for the first time in several months for a hard-earned and well-deserved vacation, but also surprisingly mildly reluctant because I have grown to love it here so much on campus.

It's hard to imagine that as a freshman, I now have one semester of college under my belt. It seems small but at the same time, so much has been packed into these turbulent first few months--including how I have grown because of it.